Rail-joint.



N0. 69!,207. Patented Ian. 94, I902. H. 'HEDEMANN.

BAIL JOINT.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1901.)

(No Model.)

THE NORRIS PETERS cu, more-urns" WASHINGTON, u. c

ITE

RAiL -JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,207, dated January 14, 1902.

Application filed October 26, 1901. Serial No. 80,088. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN TIEDEMANN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail- Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in rail-joints, and has for its object to construct a device whereby the ends of the rails may be joined together and securely fastened without the aid of bolts and nuts,and,further,aims to construct a neat and effective joint between the two rails.

Briefly described, the invention consists in employing but one fish-plate, which is placed against the outer face of the rails and has an angular lug on each end, which fits into openin gs provided therefor in the webs of the rails. This fish-plate or locking-bar is engaged in an opening in one rail, and the other rail is engaged with the fish-plate or locking-bar by placing the second rail in angular relation to the first rail and swinging it around into alinement therewith.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of a part of two rails, showing my improved joint in position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, partly in horizontal section,the better to show the joint and showing in dotted lines how the one rail is swung around on its pivot to engage and disengage the same from the fishplate or locking-bar. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the fish-plate or locking-bar.

To put my invention into practice, I provide the rails 1 and 2 with openings 3 in the web thereof, and I preferably cut the meeting ends 4. of these rails at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the tread, so that the said ends will match neatly together. The rails are held in longitudinal alinement by means of the lockingbar or fish-plate 5 having a base portion 6 to engage the base of the rail. This locking-bar or fish-plate is adapted to be engaged with the outer face of the rails and is provided on each end with an angular lug 7, the height of this lug being less than the height of the body portion 5 of the lockingbar, so as to permit their ready engagement or disengagement with the slots or openings 3 in the webs of the rails.

To apply the joint, the locking-bar 5 has the lug 7 on one end thereof placed into engage ment with the rail 1, this engagement being effected by inserting the lug of the bar with the latter placed at right angles to the rail, and then turned into engagement with the rail in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rail 2 is then engaged with the lockingbar or fish-plate by placing the rail at right angles to the rail 1, engaging the lug7 on the other end of the bar 5 in the opening 3 in the rail, and swinging the said rail 2 around into alineinent with the rail 1, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The rails are held to the ties by spikes, as in the ordinary manner. As the locking-bar or fish-plate is applied to the outer face of the rails, all pressure is against the fish-plate and the spreading of the rails is eifectually prevented.

While the accompanying illustrations show the practical embodiment of my invention, yet in the practice thereof it will be observed that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A rail-joint which comprises abase-plate carrying a fish-plate engaging one side of the rail-web and an angular lug on each end of said fish-plate for engagement with the opposite side of the web,substantially as described.

2. A rail-joint comprising an integral fishplate each end of which has an angular lug, said fish-plate engaging one side of the said rail-web and the said angular lugs each engaging the opposite side, substantially as de scribed.

3. Arail-joint which comprisesasingle fishangle to the other and the rails disengaged, plate carrying an angular lug on each end substantially as described. 10 thereof, in combination with rails having In testimony whereof I affix my signature openings formed therein for the reception of in the presence of two Witnesses.

5 said lugs engaging one side of the rail-Web, I HERMAN TIEDEMANN.

the fish-plate engaging the opposite side Witnesses: thereof, the rails having their ends cut at an JOHN NOLAND, angle wherebyoue rail may be swung at an A. M. WILSON. 

